GIFT CARDS

Gift Cards make a tangible difference.

They give individuals experiencing homelessness the ability to purchase what they most need on their own terms. This can provide a source of dignity for individuals who find themselves in hard times. Project Ellie is passionate about distributing gift cards, all year long, but especially around the holidays.

Gift card drives can be hosted by any interested group - grade schools, high schools, colleges, universities, churches, synagogues, workplaces, sports teams - any group concerned with making a difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness.

Creating a friendly competition during the course of the gift card drive is also a great way to boost the number of gift cards collected. Here are a few examples:

  • A competition among the different grades in a school

  • A competition among class advisories

  • Middle School versus High School

  • One workplace department versus another 

    You get the idea!

** Check in with us about prizes for the winning group. (Morning donuts, afternoon pizza party!)

Interested in hosting a gift card drive?

Please contact us! We would love to discuss the various options for hosting a gift card drive at your organization. You can decide to have an in-person gift card drive or a virtual one. Please call us at 603.401.7321 or send us an email at info@projectellie.org. We’ll be happy to answer any questions and provide information on hosting a gift card drive.

Looking for Info on Sock Drives or Donations?

Gift Card Drive Options & Tips

  • This is the traditional physical gift card option. You set the time (Gift Cards for those experiencing homelessness are always needed.) Follow these easy steps and you will be on your way to hosting a successful drive!

    1. Contact Project Ellie to let us know about your drive. Please get in touch with us with any questions you might have. We would be happy to help walk you through the process.

    2. Publicize! You can do so through in-house communication channels as well as through social media. Project Ellie can help with publicity! Important -Please remind those donating gift cards to mark on cards the monetary value of the card. This helps us a lot!!

    3. Set a collection location that is secure and makes it easy for those donating to access.

    4. Take photos of the event! Step five - Contact Project Ellie once again to arrange for us to pick up the gift cards you collected.

  • This option allows for more flexibility and makes it easier for those who may not have the time to get to a store to purchase gift cards. The steps are similar to option one, but instead of donating physical cards, those making a donation would donate a monetary amount and choose the gift card type they would like their dollars to go towards.

    1. Determine the type of drive you’d like to hold: In person or virtual.

    2. Determine the dates for your drive. Gift cards are needed throughout the year.

    3. Contact Project Ellie at 603-401-7321 so Patti can walk you through the process and answer any questions you might have.

    4. Spread the word about your donation drive through in-house communications, email, print and social media. Project Ellie will help with this endeavor.

    5. Take photos at the end of your drive. Post on social media, do a press release - Get the word out!

    6. Contact Project Ellie so we can organize a pick up time.

Our Favorite Gift Cards

Dunkin’ - Who doesn’t love a free coffee? A hot drink is soothing in the winter, and a cold one refreshing in the summer. Of course, Dunkin’s serves more than just coffee and can provide a meal as well. In New England, Dunkin’s, which was founded in 1948 in Quincy, MA, is synonymous with comfort.

McDonald’s - McDonald’s provides food that is filling and affordable. In fact, they still have a dollar menu! Additionally, McDonald’s restaurants often open early and close late, enabling individuals experiencing homelessness more ability to find food when they are hungry.

CVS/Walgreens - Drug stores these days sell everything - socks, food, toiletries, as well as medicinal products for any kind of illness. Additionally, CVS and Walgreens stores are plentiful, and for individuals with limited mobility, easy access to a store where they can purchase critical needs.

TJ Maxx/Marshals - Like CVS and Walgreens, TJ Maxx and Marshals stores have plentiful necessary goods, and similarly, provide easy access for individuals experiencing homelessness. Individuals can choose clothing items they need in a style they prefer.

Target - Target also has a little bit of everything! You need it, they have it! Like the other cards, Target cards give individuals experiencing homelessness the ability to choose for themselves what they need. This is empowering!